SG Gaming Info’s top 5 games of 2016

As 2016 crawls to a close, SG Gaming Info reveals its top 5 games of 2016. Will your favourite game be on the list? Well, there is only one way to find out, and that is by reading on.

Now like all top 5 lists from SG Gaming Info, only games that I played or reviewed will be on this list.

5) Seasons after fall (Swing Swing Submarine)

Available On – PC
Release date – September 2, 2016

Seasons after fall is a fun 2D puzzle-platformer that involves players changing seasons in order to complete various puzzles or cross seemingly impossible gaps. For example, if a geyser is blocking your way change the season to winter, and watch the geyser become a platform for you to stand on.

Seasons after fall offers an engaging narrative that had me wanting to learn more about the game’s world. If the story isn’t your thing, the game offers an art style and soundtrack that compliments the game’s season manipulation mechanic.

While I absolutely adored Seasons after fall, the game is only fifth on this list due to its poor replay value.

4) Gunjack (CCP Games)

While it still might be too early to tell if VR is the future of gaming, companies are creating some fun and engaging virtual reality games and one VR game that really caught my eye was CCP Games’ Gunjack.

Gunjack is a standard looking arcade shooter where you operate a gun turret and shoot down enemy ships and grab power-ups, but what makes Gunjack so much fun is how virtual reality enhances the experience. The VR setup almost transports you into the gunnery position as the head tracking and control setup seamlessly merges as you use your eyes to lock onto targets and press one button to shoot.

In the end, Gunjack is fourth as the game offers an immersive and easy to understand VR gaming experience.

3) Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (Koei Tecmo)

Available on – PS4, PSV
Release date – June 10, 2016

Koei Tecmo’s Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious book is the latest game in Gust Studios’ long-running Atelier franchise. Just like the previous Atelier games, Atelier Sophie has you gather, craft and fight, all while experiencing a relaxing and heartfelt story.

Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious book focuses on Sophie, a novice alchemist who despite her novice status wants to help those around her. However, one day while cleaning up her grandmother’s workshop she encounters a mysterious talking book that offers to help her grown as an alchemist. While the story is light-hearted it shows that you can do anything as long as you are willing to put in the effort.

Atelier Sophie also offers an improved alchemy and gathering system that will leave you gathering and crafting until the early hours of the morning.

For me, Atelier Sophie’s greatest strength is its heartfelt story and characters. I always found JRPGs to be great at character-focused stories, and Atelier Sophie is no different. As the game focuses on Sophie growing her alchemy skills all while befriending and helping a talking magical book.

Honourable mention) Senran Kagura Estival Versus (Marvelous Games)

Available on – PS4, PSV
Release date – March 18, 2016

Now before I reveal my final two top games of 2016, I think it is only prudent that I give an honourable mention to Marvelous Games’ Senran Kagura Estival Versus. This latest beat-em-up game from the Senran Kagura franchise took me completely by surprise, as the game proved to be more than just the usual fan service filled experience.

Senran Kagura Estival Versus offers an incredibly emotional story that focuses on coming to terms with the death of a loved one as the game brings the main characters to a land between life and death, and on this unknown land characters are reunited with loved ones who have died, but were unable to find peace. Each character’s story is incredibly powerful and it made me tear up on more than one occasion.

The Senran Kagura franchise is often looked down upon for its focus on fan service and clothes ripping, but while Senran Kagura Estival Versus still displayed these traits, its character-focused stories offered some of the most incredibly powerful tear-filled moments of 2016. Especially for those who lost people, they could never say goodbye too.

2) Final Fantasy XV (Square Enix)

Available on – PS4, XBOne
Release date – November 29, 2016

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XV proved to be worth the ten-year wait as it takes the number two spot in this top 5 list, as the game features an action-packed combat system and remarkably grounded story.

Final Fantasy XV’s story focuses on Prince Noctis who is being escorted to his wedding by his three bodyguards, but when the Prince’s kingdom is attacked he must prove that he is worthy of becoming king and saving his people. The game’s grounded story is somewhat undermined by several rushed elements and twists, but the story is an overall engaging and fun experience. The game is further enhanced by the action-focused combat that effortlessly transitions between combat and exploration.

What cemented Final Fantasy XV as my second favourite game of 2016 was the game’s replay value, because after you complete the game you can return to the open world area and finish the side activities you missed.

1) Overwatch (Blizzard Entertainment)

Available on – PC, PS4, XBOne
Release date – May 26, 2016

My top game of 2016 is Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch. While not having a single player mode might turn some people off, the fun and objective focused nature of the online FPS had me constantly returning to the game throughout the year.

What also helped the game reach the number one spot for me was the game’s large character roster, with the game currently boasting twenty-three heroes, each of which offers their own set of abilities and roles.

While playing solo can still be a bit annoying, the game is fun, even if like me you are terrible at first person shooters.